England hold off Australia

Hussey's late onslaught in vain

England got their preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 off to a winning start as they overcame Australia by nine runs.

England, who begin the defence of their title in earnest against minnows Afghanistan at Premadasa Stadium on Friday, survived a couple of shaky moments before coming out on top.

Although David Warner had fallen for a first-over duck chasing 173 for victory, Shane Watson (37) and Mike Hussey (71) had threatened to take the game away from them at Nondescripts CC.

Watson and Hussey shared 74 for the second wicket before England's bowlers managed to hit back.

Watson eventually fell to Graeme Swann, but Hussey carried on the fight in impressive fashion.

Swann (1-21) and Danny Briggs did their best to stem the tide - with the latter having Cameron White stumped for nine.

Hussey, though, brought his half-century up with a six and promptly followed up with two more big shots over the ropes and a four - with the luckless Briggs seeing his figures decimated by the onslaught.